KOZHIKODE: Heavy monsoon rains that have wreaked havoc in different parts of the State have brought with its destructive landslides and strong gush of mountain water, mainly in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. In the landslides, six persons including three children died.

The dead have been identified as Thamarassery Karinchola Andul Salim’s daughter Dilna (9), brother Muhammed Shahbaz (3), Karinchola native Jaffer’s son Muhammed Jasim (5), Abdurahiman (60) and Suresh. One more dead is yet to be identified.

At least 10 others werealso reported missing after a landslide struck a remote village in Kozhikode district on Thursday, as heavy rainfall continued to batter northern Kerala.

With this, the toll in rain-related incidents rose to 28 since the onset of the southwest monsoon in late May, official sources said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the deaths in the landslide and described them as "very tragic".

The area has been receiving heavy rainfall since Wednesday night.

"Chief Secretary and respective district collectors were directed to take urgent relief measures in the rain-affected areas. A team of National Disaster Response Force is on their way to Kozhikode," Vijayan said.

The dams in the area have reached their maximum storage capacity and the rivers have swollen.

Authorities have asked people living downstream of Kakkayam reservoir in Kozhikode and Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram to remain vigilant as the shutters of the dams may be opened any time to release the excess water.

Movement of vehicles has been disrupted at many places, especially on Kozhikode-Wayanad route, following landslides.

Several roads have developed cracks and others washed away. The downpour is continuing in many hilly regions.

More than 270 houses were partially damaged, while eight were completely damaged across Kerala, officials at the state control room for disaster management in Thiruvananthapuram said.